Connectors and assemblies having a plurality of moveable mating arrays

ABSTRACT

A connector configured to communicatively couple different components. The connector includes a base frame that extends along a longitudinal axis between a pair of frame ends and moveable first and second mating arrays comprising respective mating surfaces having terminals arranged thereon. The connector also includes a coupling mechanism supported by the base frame. The coupling mechanism holds the first and second mating arrays and moves the first and second mating arrays between retracted and engaged positions. The first and second mating arrays are spaced apart from a select component when in the corresponding retracted position. The first and second mating arrays are communicatively coupled to the select component when in the corresponding engaged position. The coupling mechanism initiates movement of the first mating array from the retracted position toward the engaged position while the second mating array remains stationary with respect to the base frame.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Subject matter described herein is similar to subject matter describedin U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/428,851, entitled “REMOVABLE CARDCONNECTOR ASSEMBLIES HAVING FLEXIBLE CIRCUITS,” and U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/428,806, entitled “CONNECTOR ASSEMBLIES ANDSYSTEMS INCLUDING FLEXIBLE CIRCUITS,” both of which were filed on Apr.23, 2009, and similar to subject matter described in a U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/686,518, entitled “CONNECTORS AND ASSEMBLIESHAVING A PLURALITY OF MOVEABLE MATING ARRAYS,” filed contemporaneouslyherewith, all of which are incorporated by reference in the entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The subject matter herein relates generally to connectors, and moreparticularly, to connectors that are configured to communicativelycouple different components.

Some systems, such as servers, routers, and data storage systems,utilize connector assemblies for transmitting signals and/or powerthrough the system. Such connector assemblies typically include abackplane or a midplane circuit board, a motherboard, and a plurality ofdaughter cards. The connector assemblies also include one or moreconnectors that are attached to the circuit board(s) for interconnectingthe daughter cards to the circuit board(s) when the daughter card isinserted into the system. Each daughter card includes a header orreceptacle assembly having a mating face that is configured to connectto a mating face of the connector. The header/receptacle assembly istypically positioned on or near a leading edge of the daughter card.Prior to being mated, the mating faces of the header/receptacle assemblyand the connector are aligned with each other and face each other alonga mating axis. The daughter card is then moved in an insertion directionalong the mating axis until the mating faces engage and mate with eachother.

The conventional backplane and midplane connector assemblies provide forinterconnecting the daughter cards to the backplane or midplane circuitboard by moving the daughter card in an insertion direction which is thesame as the mating direction. In some cases it may be desirable to matethe daughter card in a mating direction that is perpendicular to theinsertion direction. However, when the header/receptacle assembly is ona surface of the daughter card and faces a direction perpendicular tothe insertion direction (e.g., perpendicular to a surface of thedaughter card) and the connector is on the backplane circuit board andalso faces a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction, it maybe difficult to properly align and mate the header/receptacle assemblyand the connector.

Accordingly, there is a need for a connector that facilitatesinterconnection of a printed circuit (e.g., circuit board) to anothercomponent when the printed circuit and the component are oriented in anorthogonal relationship. Furthermore, there is also a need foralternative connectors that are capable of connecting daughter cards tobackplane or midplane circuit boards of the subject systems.Furthermore, there is a general need for various connectors capable ofestablishing an electrical and/or optical connection between differentcomponents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, a connector configured to communicatively coupledifferent components is provided. The connector includes a base framethat extends along a longitudinal axis between a pair of frame ends andmoveable first and second mating arrays comprising respective matingsurfaces having terminals arranged thereon. The connector also includesa coupling mechanism supported by the base frame. The coupling mechanismholds the first and second mating arrays and moves the first and secondmating arrays between retracted and engaged positions. The first andsecond mating arrays are spaced apart from a select component when inthe corresponding retracted position. The first and second mating arraysare communicatively coupled to the select component when in thecorresponding engaged position. The coupling mechanism initiatesmovement of the first mating array from the retracted position towardthe engaged position while the second mating array remains stationarywith respect to the base frame.

In another embodiment, a connector configured to communicatively couplecomponents is provided. The connector includes a base frame that extendsalong a longitudinal axis between a pair of frame ends and moveablefirst and second mating arrays that include respective mating surfaceshaving terminals arranged thereon. The connector also includes acoupling mechanism that is supported by the base frame. The couplingmechanism holds the first and second mating arrays and moves the firstand second mating arrays between retracted and engaged positions. Thefirst and second mating arrays are spaced apart from a select componentwhen in the retracted position. The first and second mating arrays arecommunicatively coupled to the select component when in the engagedposition. The connector also includes a keying device that isoperatively connected to the coupling mechanism. The keying deviceselectively engages at least one of the first and second mating arrays,wherein said mating arrays that are selectively engaged to the keyingdevice move between the retracted and engaged positions when thecoupling mechanism is actuated.

In yet another embodiment, a connector configured to communicativelycouple different components is provided. The connector includes a baseframe that extends along a longitudinal axis between a pair of frameends and moveable first and second mating arrays comprising respectivemating surfaces having terminals arranged thereon. The connector alsoincludes a coupling mechanism supported by the base frame. The couplingmechanism holds the first and second mating arrays and moves the firstand second mating arrays between retracted and engaged positions. Thefirst and second mating arrays are spaced apart from a select componentwhen in the corresponding retracted position. The first and secondmating arrays are communicatively coupled to the select component whenin the corresponding engaged position. The coupling mechanism initiatesmovement of the first mating array from the retracted position towardthe engaged position while the second mating array remains stationarywith respect to the base frame. The connector also includes a keyingdevice that is operatively connected to the coupling mechanism. Thekeying device selectively engages at least one of the first and secondmating arrays, wherein said mating arrays that are selectively engagedto the keying device move between the retracted and engaged positionswhen the coupling mechanism is actuated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an end view of an electrical system using a plurality ofelectrical connectors formed in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 2 is the end view of the electrical system of FIG. 1 illustratingthe electrical connectors engaged with printed circuits.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a printed circuit and a moveablecontact array that may be used with the electrical system shown in FIG.1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an electrical connector formed inaccordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 5 is another perspective view of the electrical connector of FIG.4.

FIG. 6 is an exposed perspective view of the electrical connector ofFIG. 4 showing internal components of the electrical connector.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the electrical connector taken alongthe line 7-7 in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the electrical connector taken alongthe line 8-8 in FIG. 6.

FIGS. 9A-C illustrate an electrical connector formed in accordance withanother embodiment having contact arrays sequentially moved.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a coupling mechanism and a keyingdevice that may be used with various embodiments.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the coupling mechanismand the keying device shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a side view of a rotatable end used with the couplingmechanism and keying device of FIG. 10.

FIGS. 13A-D illustrate a series of cross-sectional views of the couplingmechanism and the keying device in different stages.

FIG. 14 illustrates a perspective view of a coupling mechanism and akeying device that may be used with other embodiments.

FIG. 15 illustrates a portion of the keying device shown in FIG. 14.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments described herein include connectors that are configured toestablish at least one of an electrical and optical coupling (e.g., fortransmitting data signals or power) between different components. Thecomponents that are interconnected by the connectors may be printedcircuits (e.g., circuit boards or flex circuits), other connectors(e.g., optical and/or electrical connectors), or any other componentsthat are capable of establishing an electrical or optical coupling tothe connectors. The connectors include one or more moveable matingarrays that have terminals that are configured to couple to or engagewith other terminals to establish the electrical and/or opticalcoupling. For example, the terminals may be mating contacts forestablishing an electrical connection or optical fiber terminals forestablishing an optical connection. Embodiments described herein alsoinclude coupling mechanisms that are configured to move the matingarrays from a retracted position, where the mating array is spaced apartfrom a select component, to an engaged position, where the mating arrayis engaged with the select component.

FIGS. 1 and 2 are end views of an electrical system 100 formed inaccordance with one embodiment. Although the following is described withreference to an electrical system that includes electrical connectors,the following description may similarly apply to connectors thatestablish optical lines of communication. The electrical system 100includes a printed circuit 102, which is illustrated as a motherboard inFIG. 1, a removable card assembly 104, a plurality of printed circuits106 (also called daughter cards), and a plurality of electricalconnectors 110 that interconnect the printed circuits 102 and 106 toeach other in the electrical system 100. FIG. 1 illustrates theelectrical system 100 in a disengaged state where the printed circuits102 and 106 are not electrically interconnected, and FIG. 2 illustratesthe electrical system 100 in an engaged state where the electricalconnectors 110 electrically interconnect the printed circuits 102 and106 to each other. To move from the disengaged state to the engagedstate, various embodiments described herein include electricalconnectors with moveable contact arrays. The contact arrays are moved byone or more coupling mechanisms between retracted and engaged positions.The electrical system 100 may be, for example, a server system. However,the electrical system 100 shown in FIG. 1 may be a variety of otherelectrical systems, such as a router system or a data storage system.

Furthermore, although not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the electricalconnectors 110 may include keying devices, such as the keying devices706 (shown in FIG. 11) and 806 (shown in FIG. 14). The keying devicesmay facilitate moving only select contact arrays between the retractedand engaged positions.

As used herein, the term “mating array” includes a plurality ofterminals arranged in a predetermined configuration. For example, themating array may be a contact array having mating contacts configured toestablish an electrical connection, or the mating array may be anoptical terminal array having optical terminals configured to establishan optical connection. In some embodiments, the mating array may includeboth mating contacts and optical terminals.

As used herein, the term “contact array” includes a plurality of matingcontacts arranged in a predetermined configuration and held together bya common base material or structure, such as a dielectric substrate. Acontact array may include or be a component of a printed circuit. Avariety of mating contacts may be used in the contact arrays, includingcontacts that are stamped and formed, etched and formed, solder balls,pads, press-fit contacts, and the like. In some embodiments, the matingcontacts form a planar array (i.e., the mating contacts are arrangedsubstantially co-planar with respect to each other). In someembodiments, the contact array may have multiple sub-arrays of matingcontacts. Optical terminal arrays may have similar configurations andfeatures as described with respect to the contact arrays.

As used herein, a “removable card assembly” includes a connectorassembly having at least one connector as described herein. A cardassembly may be inserted into a system so that the connector has apredetermined orientation and position with respect to a component. Theconnector may then be removably coupled to the component of the system,such as a motherboard, daughter card, or another component. A cardassembly may be sized and shaped so that the card assembly may becarried and inserted/removed by an operator or a machine. Furthermore, acard assembly may have sufficient structure to withstand repeatedinsertions and removals from a corresponding system without damaging thecard assembly. As used herein, “removably coupled” means that twocoupled parts or components may be readily separated from and coupled(electrically, optically, or mechanically) to each other withoutdestroying or damaging either of the two.

The term “printed circuit,” as used herein, includes any electriccircuit in which the conducting connections have been printed orotherwise deposited in predetermined patterns on an insulating base orsubstrate. For example, a printed circuit may be a circuit board, aninterposer made with printed circuit board material, a flexible circuithaving embedded conductors, a substrate having one or more layers offlexible circuit therealong, and the like. The printed circuit may havemating contacts arranged thereon.

A “flex connection,” as used herein, is an arrangement of flexiblecommunication pathways that communicatively connect two or morecomponents. A flex connection includes at least one of an electricalconductor and a fiber optic communication line and may be used tointerconnect different mating arrays of the connectors described herein.Flex connections may provide pathways for data and/or power transmissionin which current or light is transmitted. For example, a flex connectionmay be a flexible circuit configured to convey a current throughconductors (e.g., conductive traces) embedded within a flexiblesubstrate. Such a flexible circuit may transmit data and/or powerbetween first and second components, which may include printed circuitsand/or contact arrays. Furthermore, a flex connection may include one ormore fiber optic cables having optical waveguides that transmit light,for example, by total internal reflection. The optical waveguides mayinclude a flexible cladding. The fiber optic cables may be configured tohave a limited bend radius so that optical waveguides may transmit lightthrough total internal reflection.

A “flexible circuit” (also called flex circuit), as used herein, is aprinted circuit having an arrangement of conductors embedded within orbetween flexible insulating material(s). For example, flexiblecircuit(s) may be configured to convey an electrical current betweenfirst and second electrical components, such as printed circuits or,more specifically, circuit boards and contact arrays.

An “interposer,” as used herein, includes a planar body having oppositesides with corresponding mating contacts and a plurality of conductivepathways extending therebetween to connect the mating contacts. Aninterposer may be a circuit board where mating contacts are etched andformed along two opposing sides of a circuit board. The circuit boardmay have conductive pathways coupling each mating contact to acorresponding mating contact on the other side. However, in otherembodiments, the interposer might not be a circuit board or anotherprinted circuit. For example, an interposer may include a carrier havinga planar body with a plurality of holes extending therethrough. Stampedand formed mating contacts may be arranged by the carrier such that eachmating contact is positioned within a corresponding hole. The matingcontacts may interface with one circuit board on one side of the carrierand have ball contacts that are soldered to another circuit board on theother side of the carrier. An interposer may also take other forms.

As used herein, “communicatively” coupling or connecting includestransmitting current or light between two components. For example, poweror data signals may be transmitted between two components that arecommunicatively coupled.

Returning to FIGS. 1 and 2, the printed circuits 102 and 106 may be infixed positions with respect to each other when the printed circuits 102and 106 are electrically interconnected. In each example shown in FIGS.1 and 2, the electrical connectors 110A-C extend along a longitudinaldirection or axis 190 that extends into the page and the printedcircuits 102 and 106 extend along planes that are parallel to thelongitudinal axis 190. The printed circuits 102 and 106 may be orientedsuch that the printed circuits 102 and 106 are substantially orthogonalor are substantially parallel to one another. For example, the printedcircuit 102 may extend along a lateral plane defined by the longitudinalaxis 190 and the lateral axis 194, and the printed circuits 106 mayextend along a vertical plane defined by the longitudinal axis 190 andthe vertical axis 192. In some embodiments, the printed circuits 102 and106 may be substantially orthogonal (or perpendicular) to one another(e.g., 90°+/−20°). The printed circuits 102 and 106 may also form otherangles or some other positional relationship with respect to each other.For example, the printed circuits 102 and 106 may be oblique to oneanother. Also shown, the printed circuits 106A-C may be substantiallyparallel to one another.

The electrical connectors 110A-C illustrate various types or kinds ofconnectors that may be formed in accordance with embodiments describedherein. The electrical connectors 110 are used to interconnect at leasttwo electrical components. For example, the electrical connector 110Amay be part of the removable card assembly 104, and the electricalconnector 110C may be mounted (e.g., fastened or secured) to the printedcircuit 102 for electrically interconnecting the printed circuit 102 tothe printed circuits 106B and 106C. Furthermore, the electricalconnector 110B may be mounted to a chassis or structural support 115 ofthe electrical system 100 and be used to electrically interconnect theprinted circuits 106A and 106B. In alternative embodiments, theelectrical connectors 110A-C may directly connect to one another. Asshown, the electrical connectors 110A-C may use flexible circuits 120 tomove contact arrays 112A-F between corresponding retracted positions(shown FIG. 1) and corresponding engaged positions (shown in FIG. 2).The movement may be in a linear manner along the vertical or lateralaxes 192 and 194.

The removable card assembly 104 may include the printed circuit 106A,which is illustrated as a circuit board, and the electrical connector110A. Although not shown, the removable card assembly 104 may includeother components, such as a housing, sidewalls, a handle, or any otherstructural components that facilitate shielding the removable cardassembly 104 or that facilitate inserting/removing the removable cardassembly 104. To insert the removable card assembly 104 into theelectrical system 100, the removable card assembly 104 may be advancedinto the electrical system 100 in the longitudinal direction such thatan edge 118 of the printed circuit 106A moves alongside a surface 103 ofthe printed circuit 102. The removable card assembly 104 may engageguiding features 122 and 124, which are illustrated as rails in FIGS. 1and 2, and slide to a predetermined position and orientation withrespect to the printed circuits 102 and 106B. Once the removable cardassembly 104 is properly positioned, the contact array 112A may be movedto engage the printed circuit 102 and the contact array 112B may bemoved to engage the printed circuit 106B. The printed circuits 106A,106B, and 102 may be electrically coupled to one another through theelectrical connector 110A and, more specifically, through the contactarrays 112A and 112B and corresponding flexible circuits 120.

Likewise, the electrical connectors 110B and 110C may be actuated tomove the corresponding contact arrays 112C, 112D and 112E, 112F,respectively, away from each other in opposite directions. Theelectrical connector 110B may electrically interconnect the printedcircuits 106A and 106B directly to each other through the flexiblecircuits 120. The electrical connector 110C may electricallyinterconnect the printed circuits 102, 106B, and 106C to each other.

In alternative embodiments, contact arrays from different electricalconnectors may electrically connect directly to each other. For example,the contact arrays 112B and 112E of the electrical connectors 110A and110C, respectively, may be configured to directly connect with eachother. More specifically, if the printed circuit 106B were removed, thecontact arrays 112B and 112E could move to and from each other todirectly engage each other.

As described above, in alternative embodiments, the connectors 110 maybe configured to establish optical communications lines. For example,the printed circuits 102 and 106 may be other components that arecapable of being electrically and/or optically coupled to the connectors110. The contact arrays 112 may be mating arrays 112 having opticalterminals and the flexible circuits 120 may be other flex connections,such as fiber optic cables 112.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary contact array 112 in aretracted position (shown in dashed lines) and in an engaged position(solid lines) with respect to an exemplary printed circuit 106. Thecontact array 112 includes a substrate 140 having a mating surface 128with mating contacts 132 arranged thereon. The mating surface 128 mayface a mating direction (indicated by an arrow A_(D)). In someembodiments, the contact array 112 may be moved bi-directionally in alinear manner (i.e., axially) between the retracted and engagedpositions. The printed circuit 106 may have a contact array 136 ofmating contacts 138 that are configured to engage corresponding matingcontacts 132 of the contact array 112. As shown, in the retractedposition, the mating contacts 132 of the contact array 112 are spacedapart (i.e., spaced a distance D₁ away) from corresponding matingcontacts 138 of the printed circuit 106. In the engaged position, eachmating contact 132 makes sufficient contact with one of the matingcontacts 138 to electrically couple the two together. As shown, themating surface 128 of the contact array 112 may extend adjacent to andsubstantially parallel to a circuit surface 107 (i.e., the mating andcircuit surfaces 128 and 107 face each other). As will be discussedfurther below, the contact array 112 may be held and moved toward theprinted circuit 106 until the corresponding mating contacts 132 and 138are engaged. As such, the contact array 112 may be removably coupled toor engaged with the printed circuit 106.

In the illustrated embodiment, the mating surface 128 and the circuitsurface 107 are planar surfaces and extend substantially parallel to oneother while in the retracted and engaged positions and in any positiontherebetween. The mating contacts 132 of the contact array 112 may beco-planar with respect to each other and arranged along a contact plane193 that extends substantially parallel to a circuit plane 195 formed bythe circuit surface 107 and/or the mating contacts 138. Each matingcontact 132 may be aligned with the corresponding mating contact 138before engaging each other, but spaced apart from the correspondingmating contact 138 by substantially the same distance D₁. When thecontact array 112 is moved toward the printed circuit 106 in a linearmanner along the mating direction A_(D), the distance D₁ decreases untilthe corresponding mating contacts 132 and 138 are engaged.

In alternative embodiments, the contact array 112 may be moved towardand engage the printed circuit 106 in other manners. For example, thecircuit surface 107 and the mating surface 128 may not be parallel whenin the retracted position, but may become aligned and parallel with eachother when the contact array 112 is in the engaged position. The contactarray 112 may pivot about an edge of the contact array from theretracted position to the engaged position.

In the illustrated embodiment, the mating contacts 132 include resilientbeams 131 that flex to and from the mating surface 128. The resilientbeams 131 resist deflection and exert a resistance force F_(R) in adirection away from the mating surface 128. In some embodiments, theresilient beams 131 may compensate for slight misalignment ormisorientation between the contact array 112 of mating contacts 132 andthe contact array 136 of mating contacts 138 when the contact array 112is moved into the engaged position. In alternative embodiments, theresilient beams 131 of the mating contacts 132 may be bifurcated or themating contacts 132 may include two separate beams that project towardeach other or in opposite directions. Such dual-beam mating contacts 132may be configured to engage only one corresponding mating contact 138.

In FIG. 3, the mating contacts 138 of the printed circuit 106 are padsthat are flush with the circuit surface 107 and the mating contacts 132of the contact array 112 include resilient beams 131 that project fromthe mating surface 128. However, the mating contacts 138 and 132 mayhave other forms and are not intended to be limited to suchconfigurations. For example, in alternative embodiments, the matingcontacts 138 may include resilient beams that project from the circuitsurface 107 and/or the mating contacts 132 may be flush with the matingsurface 128 of the contact array 112. Furthermore, the mating contacts138 and the mating contacts 132 may both be pads configured to engageeach other. Also, in alternative embodiments, the mating contacts 132 or138 may be rounded protrusions or pads that project away from thecorresponding surface.

In alternative embodiments, the mating contacts 138 and 132 may beoptical terminals that connect with each other to establish an opticalcommunication line.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are isolated perspective views of the electrical connector110A, which is configured to be mounted to the printed circuit 106A(FIG. 1) and removably couple to printed circuits 102 and 106B (FIG. 1)through contact arrays 112A and 112B, respectively. As shown, theelectrical connector 110A is oriented with respect to a longitudinalaxis 290, a vertical axis 292, and a lateral axis 294. (In FIG. 5, theelectrical connector 110A is rotated 90° counter-clockwise about thelongitudinal axis 290 with respect to the electrical connector 110A inFIG. 4.) The electrical connector 110A has a substantially rectangularshape that includes a width W₁ that extends along the lateral axis 294,a length L₁ that extends along the longitudinal axis 290, and a heightH₁ that extends along the vertical axis 292. The electrical connector110A may include a base frame 208 that extends lengthwise along thelongitudinal axis 290 between frame ends 214 and 216. The base frame 208may support a coupling mechanism 204 (shown in FIG. 6) that includes arotatable axle 230 that extends substantially parallel to thelongitudinal axis 290. As will be described in greater detail below, thecoupling mechanism 204 may be operated by an individual or machine formoving the contact arrays 112A and 112B between the retracted andengaged positions. The contact arrays 112A and 112B are in retractedpositions in FIGS. 4 and 5.

The electrical connector 110A may have sides 240-243 that extend betweenthe frame ends 214 and 216. As shown, the electrical connector 110A hasa square- or rectangular-shaped cross-section such that the sides240-243 are either oriented parallel to one another or orthogonal (i.e.,perpendicular) to one another. However, in alternative embodiments, theelectrical connector 110A may have a cross-section with other geometricshapes, such as a triangle, pentagon, and the like, where one or moresides may have a contact array thereon.

The side 240 is configured to interface with the printed circuit 106Awhen the base frame 208 is mounted thereon. When the base frame 208 ismounted to the printed circuit 106A and the removable card assembly 104(FIG. 1) is fully inserted into the electrical system 100 (FIG. 1), thebase frame 208 may have a fixed relationship with respect to the printedcircuits 102 and 106B. The sides 240-243 may have one or more contactarrays thereon. For example, the side 240 may have a stationary or fixedcontact array 112G (FIG. 4) coupled thereto that extends alongsubstantially the entire length L₁ of the electrical connector 110A. Thecontact array 112G and/or the side 240 may have alignment features 288(FIG. 4) and/or fastening features 286 (FIG. 4) to facilitate mountingthe base frame 208 to the printed circuit 106A and aligning matingcontacts of the contact array 112G with corresponding mating contacts ofthe printed circuit 106A.

Also shown, the sides 242 and 243 may have the moveable contact arrays112B and 112A, respectively, thereon. The coupling mechanism 204 isconfigured to hold the contact arrays 112A and 112B along theirrespective sides. The contact arrays 112A and 112B may be electricallycoupled to each other and/or to the contact array 112G. As shown, theflexible circuits 120 electrically couple and directly attach (i.e.,extend from one to the other) the contact arrays 112A, 112B, and 112G toeach other. However, other circuitry may be used in addition to theflexible circuits 120.

Various configurations of contact arrays 112 and flexible circuits 120may be used in embodiments of the electrical connector 110. For example,with specific reference to the electrical connector 110A, the contactarrays 112A and 112G extend along substantially the entire length L₁ ofthe electrical connector 110A, but the contact array 112B may extendalong a length L₂ (FIG. 5) which is a portion of the length L₁.Furthermore, the contact array 112A is electrically coupled to thecontact array 112G through two flexible circuits 120A and 120C, wherethe contact array 112B is located therebetween. The contact array 112Bmay have only one flexible circuit 120B that electrically couples thecontact array 112B to the contact array 112G.

As shown, the flexible circuits 120A-C may be sized and shaped so thatthe contact arrays 112A and 112B may be moved as desired. Furthermore,the base frame 208 may include other components to control the flexingof the flexible circuits 120. For example, the base frame 208 may haveclips 284 (FIG. 4) coupled thereto that are configured to hold a portionof the flexible circuit 120B proximate to the base frame 208. Althoughthe flexible circuits 120 are illustrated as extending around the baseframe 208 in the exemplary embodiment, the flexible circuits 120 mayextend through the base frame 208. Each flexible circuit 120 may foldover itself in a predetermined manner.

FIG. 6 is another isolated perspective view of the electrical connector110A where the flexible circuits 120 are illustrated by phantom lines sothat internal components of the electrical connector 110A may be shown.In the illustrated embodiment, only a single coupling mechanism is usedto move the contact arrays 112A and 112B. More specifically, when thecoupling mechanism 204 is activated by an individual or machine, bothcontact arrays 112A and 112B are moved between the retracted and engagedpositions. The contact arrays 112A and 112B may begin movingsimultaneously or the contact arrays 112A and 112B may be movedaccording to a predetermined sequence so that one contact arrayelectrically couples to a printed circuit before the other contactarray(s). However, in alternative embodiments, more than one couplingmechanism may be used where each coupling mechanism may separately moveone or more contact arrays.

The coupling mechanism 204 includes the axle 230 that extends along androtates about a central axis 296. The coupling mechanism 204 alsoincludes a plurality of cam fingers 232 coupled to the axle 230 andprojecting radially away from the central axis 296. The couplingmechanism 204 may have a header 209 that includes multiple headersections 210. The axle 230 has an end 231 that is configured to beengaged by a user or system for rotating the axle 230 about the centralaxis 296. Furthermore, the base frame 208 includes a plurality of axlesupports 222 that support the axle 230.

The coupling mechanism 204 includes only a single axle 230 with the camfingers 232 projecting radially outward therefrom. However, inalternative embodiments, coupling mechanisms may include othermechanical components for moving the contact arrays. For example,alternative coupling mechanisms may include an additional axle(s) thatis operatively coupled to the axle 230 through one or more gears.Coupling mechanisms may also use links, levers, sliding members,additional cams, shafts, and the like that interact with each other tomove the contact arrays. Alternative coupling mechanisms that may beused with embodiments described herein may be similar to those describedin U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 12/428,806 and 12/428,851, whichare incorporated by reference in the entirety.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the electrical connector 110A takenalong the line 7-7 shown in FIG. 6. As shown, the flexible circuit 120Cextends around the base frame 208 and the coupling mechanism 204 toelectrically couple the contact array 112A on the side 243 to thecontact array 112G on the side 240. The flexible circuit 120C may extendaround a portion of a perimeter of the cross-section of the electricalconnector 110A. The plurality of flexible circuits 120A-C (FIG. 5) andthe contact arrays 112A (FIG. 6), 112B, and 112G may collectively form acircuit assembly 282 of the electrical connector 110A. The circuitassembly 282 includes conductive pathways through the flexible circuits120A-C and contact arrays 112A, 112B, and 112G that are configured tointerconnect different printed circuits as desired. For example, thecircuit assembly 282 electrically interconnects the printed circuit 106B(e.g., a daughter card) and the printed circuit 102 (e.g., amotherboard) to each other and to the printed circuit 106A (e.g., acircuit board).

In alternative embodiments, the base frame 208 and the flexiblecircuits, such as 120C, may be configured such that the flexible circuitextends through the base frame 208.

As shown, the circuit assembly 282 may include rigid substrates or boardstiffeners 256 for supporting and controlling a shape of the flexiblecircuit 120C. Each of the board stiffeners 256 may extend along aportion of the flexible circuit 120C at a predetermined area. The boardstiffeners 256 may direct or control flexing of the flexible circuit120C when the contact array 112A is moved between the retracted andengaged positions. The flexible circuit 120C may have a longer lengththan the perimeter defined by the sides 241 and 242 to allow the contactarray 112A to be moved between the retracted and engaged positions. Thelength of the flexible circuit 120C may be based upon a distance thatthe corresponding contact array is moved.

The contact array 112A may include a substrate 140A where matingcontacts are arranged thereon. The flexible circuit 120C may besandwiched between the substrate 140A and another substrate or stiffener261, which may, in turn, be fastened to a panel 262 using, for example,screws or adhesives. The contact array 112A in FIG. 7 is an interposer,but the contact array 112A may take other forms in alternativeembodiments. The substrate 140A may include conductive pathways (notshown) that are electrically coupled to the flexible circuit 120C. Thepanel 262 supports and holds the contact array 112A such that thecontact array 112A is floatably attached to the header section 210 (onlyone header section 210 is shown in FIG. 7) via a plurality of springs264. The springs 264 may facilitate maintaining an orientation of thecontact array 112A in the retracted and engaged positions. The contactarray 112A also includes an alignment feature 288 that projects awayfrom the contact array 112A. Alternatively, the alignment feature 288may be a hole configured to receive a projection.

The contact arrays 112A and 112G and the flexible circuits 120 of thecircuit assembly 282 may be molded together into one unit. The contactarray 112G may be an interposer that engages the flexible circuit 120Con one side of the interposer and engages the printed circuit 106A(FIG. 1) on the other side of the interposer. Mating contacts of thecontact array 112G may include press-fit contacts or solder-ballcontacts that affix or secure the contact array 112G to the printedcircuit 106A to facilitate holding the electrical connector 110Athereto. Alternatively, other mating contacts may be used.

Also shown in FIG. 7, the coupling mechanism 204 includes a roll bar266A that is coupled to and extends through the header section 210parallel to the central axis 296. The roll bar 266A may have a separatebearing 269A attached thereto that is configured to rotate about theroll bar 266A. Alternatively, the bearing 269A may be integrally formedwith the roll bar 266A such that the roll bar 266A rotates with thebearing 269A. The bearing 269A has a roll surface 267A that contacts afinger surface 233A of the cam finger 232A. In FIG. 6, the couplingmechanism 204 and the contact array 112A are in the retracted position.In the retracted position, the cam finger 232A extends longitudinallytoward the side 240 and the finger surface 233A is shaped to at leastpartially conform to the shape of the roll surface 267A so that the axle230 does not inadvertently rotate.

The contact array 112A may be moved between the retracted and engagedpositions. When the axle 230 is rotated in a direction as indicated bythe arrow R₁, the cam finger 232A pushes the roll bar 266A away from theaxle 230 in the mating direction A₁. The header section 210, likewise,moves in the mating direction A₁ thereby moving the contact array 112Aaway from the axle 230 and toward the printed circuit 102. Although notshown, the coupling mechanism 204 may be biased (e.g., by a springforce) such that a force F_(B1) biases the header section 210 and theroll bar 266A in a direction toward the axle 230. When the axle 230 isrotated in a direction opposite R₁, the biasing force F_(B1) moves theheader section 210 and the roll bar 266A toward the axle 230 and awayfrom the printed circuit 102.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the electrical connector 110A takenalong the line 8-8 shown in FIG. 6. The coupling mechanism 204 may beconfigured to simultaneously operate on the contact arrays 112A and112B. However, the contact array 112B may be configured to move betweenthe retracted and engaged positions along a mating direction A₂ that issubstantially orthogonal or perpendicular to the mating direction A₁(FIG. 7). The coupling mechanism 204 is shown in the retracted positionin FIG. 8. As shown, the cam finger 232B extends longitudinally towardthe side 243. The cam finger 232B has a finger surface 233B that issized and shaped to control movement of the contact array 112B. Thefinger surface 233B interfaces with a roll bar surface 267B of a bearing269B of a roll bar 266B.

When the axle 230 is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow R₁,the cam finger 232B pushes the roll bar 266B away from the axle 230 inthe mating direction A₂. The corresponding header section 210, likewise,moves in the mating direction A₂ thereby moving the contact array 112Baway from the axle 230 and toward the printed circuit 106B (FIG. 1).Again, the coupling mechanism 204 may be biased (e.g., by a springforce) such that a force F_(B2) biases the header section 210 and theroll bar 266B in a direction toward the axle 230. When the axle 230 isrotated in a direction opposite R₁, the biasing force F_(B2) moves theheader section 210 and the roll bar 266B toward the axle 230 and awayfrom the printed circuit 106B. The contact array 112B may also befloatable with respect to the base frame 208. In the embodiment shown inFIGS. 7 and 8, the cam fingers 232A and 232B operate simultaneously ondifferent roll bars 266A and 266B, respectively, so that the contactarrays 112A and 112B move simultaneously in different mating directionsA₁ and A₂, respectively. However, as will be described in greater detailbelow, the shape of the cam fingers 232A and 232B may be configured tosequence the movement of the contact arrays 112A and 112B in a desiredmanner.

FIGS. 9A-C schematically show an electrical connector 610 formed inaccordance with another embodiment at different stages 0-II of engaginga printed circuit (not shown). FIG. 9A corresponds to stage 0; FIG. 9Bcorresponds to stage I; and FIG. 9C corresponds to stage II. Each ofFIGS. 9A-C shows a top plan view, an end view, and three cross-sectionalviews that illustrate an interaction between cam fingers 632 and contactarray holders 634. Each cross-sectional view is taken along acorresponding plane C₁-C₃ as shown with respect to the top plan view.

Embodiments described herein may also include a plurality of contactarrays that are moved at different times. For example, the couplingmechanism may initiate movement of a first contact array from thecorresponding retracted position toward the corresponding engagedposition while a second contact array remains stationary. In particularembodiments, the contact arrays may be moved according to apredetermined sequence.

The electrical connector 610 includes contact arrays 612A-C held orsupported by holders 634A-634C, respectively. The holders 634A-634C mayinclude roll bars and header sections as described above. Although notshown, the electrical connector 610 may have a coupling mechanism, suchas the coupling mechanism 204 (FIG. 4). The contact arrays 612A and 612Care located on a common side of the electrical connector 610, and thecontact array 612B is located on a different, bottom side of theelectrical connector 610. The electrical connector 610 may include arotatable axle 630 that is operatively coupled to cam fingers 632A-C.The cam fingers 632A-632C may be differently sized and shaped so thatthe contact arrays 612A-612C may be moved at different times.Alternatively, the cam fingers 632A-632C may have a common size andshape, but may be differently oriented with respect to each other andthe axle 630. In some embodiments, it may be desirable to electricallycouple one contact array to a select printed circuit before the othercontact arrays.

Stage 0 (shown in FIG. 9A) illustrates the arrangement of the camfingers 632A-C before the axle 630 is rotated, stage I (FIG. 9B)illustrates the arrangement of the cam fingers 632A-C when the axle 630is partially rotated, and stage II (FIG. 9C) illustrates the arrangementof the cam fingers 632A-C when the axle 630 is fully rotated. As shownin stage 0, the cam finger 632A is in slidable contact with the holder634A, and the cam fingers 632B and 632C are spaced apart from theholders 634B and 634C, respectively. When the axle 630 is partiallyrotated, the coupling mechanism (not shown) initiates moving the contactarray 612A while the contact arrays 612B and 612C remain stationary withrespect to a base frame 618. Although the contact arrays 612B and 612Chave not been moved in stage I, the cam fingers 632B and 632C are nowcoupled or engaged with the holders 634B and 634C, respectively.

When the axle 630 is rotated between stages I and II, the cam finger632A may be sized and shaped so that the contact array 612A is not movedfurther outward, but instead maintains the distance away from the baseframe 618. For example, a portion of the cam finger 632A may have anouter surface that engages the holder 634A. The outer surface may beshaped to have a constant radius from an axis of rotation of the axle630 so that the holder 634A and, consequently, the contact array 612Amaintains the distance away from the base frame 618. Also shown, the camfinger 632B moves the holder 634B thereby moving the contact array 612Baway from the base frame 618. Likewise, the cam finger 632C moves theholder 634C thereby moving the contact array 612C away from the baseframe 618. However, the cam fingers 632B and 632C may be sized andshaped to move the respective contact arrays 612B and 612C differentdistances D₂ and D₃, respectively, away from the base frame 618.Furthermore, the cam fingers 632A, 632B, and 632C may be sized andshaped to move the respective contact arrays 612A, 612B, and 612C atdifferent speeds away from the base frame 618.

As such, the coupling mechanism may initiate moving different contactarrays at different times with respect to each other. For example, thecoupling mechanism may initiate movement of the contact array 612A fromthe retracted position toward the engaged position while the contactarrays 612B and 612C remain stationary with respect to the base frame618. Furthermore, the contact arrays 612A-612C may be moved according toa predetermined sequence.

FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate an isolated perspective view and across-sectional perspective view, respectively, of a coupling mechanism704 and a keying device 706 (FIG. 11) that may be used with variousembodiments, such as the connectors 110A-110C (FIG. 1) and 610 (FIG. 9)described above. The coupling mechanism 704 may have similar featuresand components as described above with respect to the coupling mechanism204 (FIG. 6). As shown, the coupling mechanism 704 is operativelycoupled to the keying device 706 and may be supported by a base frame708. The coupling mechanism includes a rotatable axle 730 having alongitudinal central axis 796 extending therethrough. The base frame 708may include a plurality of axle supports 722 that support the axle 730.

The coupling mechanism 704 also includes a plurality of cam fingers 732that are coupled to the axle 730 and project radially away from the axle730 (or central axis 796). Also shown, the axle 730 has a rotatable end731 that is configured to be engaged by a user or system for rotatingthe axle 730 about the central axis 796. The axle 730 and cam fingers732 may operate similarly to the axle 230 and the cam fingers 232described above with reference to FIGS. 6-8. For example, the axle 730may be rotated about the central axis 796 to rotate the cam fingers 732.The cam fingers 732 may be sized and shaped to move moveable contactarray(s) (not shown) away from the axle 730 or the central axis 796.

The keying device 706 is configured to selectively engage at least onecontact array. More specifically, the keying device 706 is configured toengage select cam fingers 732 so that when the axle 730 is rotated, onlythe cam fingers 732 that are engaged by the keying device 706 willrotate with the axle 730. As such, when the coupling mechanism 704 isactuated (i.e., when the axle 730 is rotated about the central axis 796by a user or system), the contact array(s) that are selectively engagedby the keying device 706 move between retracted and engaged positions.

To this end, the axle 730 may have a groove or channel 740 (FIG. 11)that extends along the central axis 796 between the rotatable end 731and an opposite end 742. The keying device 706 may include a slidablerod 744 (FIG. 11) that is sized and shaped to fit within and slide alongthe channel 740 in an axial direction (i.e., in the direction of thecentral axis 796). The keying device 706 may also include a plurality ofkey projections 746 that project radially away from the slidable rod744. The cam fingers 732 may include cavities 748 that are sized andshaped to receive the key projections 746. The key projections 746 areaxially located along the slidable rod 744 to engage select cam fingers732 when the slidable rod 744 is moved a predetermined axial distancealong the axle 730.

FIG. 12 is a side view of the rotatable end 731. As shown, the keyingdevice 706 may include a latching feature 750 that is coupled to theslidable rod 744 (FIG. 11) and projects radially away therefrom. Thelatching feature 750 is accessible to the user or system. The latchingfeature 750 may be sized and shaped so that a user or system may engagethe latching feature 750 and move the slidable rod 744 within thechannel 740. The rotatable end 731 may include a series of ridges 752located proximate to the channel 740 and configured to engage thelatching feature 750. For example, the latching feature 750 may includea recess 754. The latching feature 750 may be moved in an axialdirection to move the slidable rod 744 along the axle 730. As thelatching feature 750 is moved axially, the latching feature 750 mayengage the ridges 752. For example, each ridge 752 may deflect thelatching feature 750 away from the axle 730 and form an interference fitwith the recess 754. As such, the latching feature 750 and each ridge752 may provide a tactile indication that the slidable rod 744 has moveda predetermined axial distance. As will be described in greater detailbelow, the ridges 752 may be spaced apart from each other to facilitatelocating the key projections 746 within corresponding cavities 748 (FIG.11) of the cam fingers 732.

FIGS. 13A-D illustrate a series of cross-sectional views of the couplingmechanism 704 and the keying device 706 in different Stages A-D. The keyprojections 746 facilitate coupling the axle 730 to the cam fingers 732so that when the axle 730 is rotated, the cam fingers 732 move with theaxle 730. If a corresponding key projection 746 is not located within acavity 748 of a corresponding cam finger 732, then the corresponding camfinger 732 will not rotate with the axle 730. As such, the contact arraythat is configured to operatively engage the corresponding cam finger732 will not be moved. Accordingly, the keying device 706 enables a useror system to move select contact arrays.

Each Stage A-D corresponds to a different predetermined axial positionof the slidable rod 744 along the axle 730. Stage A is an unengagedstage where the keying device 706 is not selectively engaged with any ofthe cam fingers 732. As shown, the key projections 746 have differentaxial locations along the slidable rod 744. Each key projection 746 isaxially located on the slidable rod 744 to be inserted into acorresponding cavity 748 of a select cam finger 732 when the slidablerod 744 is moved to a predetermined position. Furthermore, each keyprojection 746 has a different width W_(P) that extends in the axialdirection along the slidable rod 744. The key projections 746A have awidth W_(PA), the key projections 746B have a width W_(PB), and the keyprojections 746C have a width W_(PC). In the exemplary embodiment, thewidths W_(P) have different dimensions. However, in alternativeembodiments, the widths W_(P) and the axial locations of the keyprojections 746 may be adapted for a desired selective engagementsequence. For example, the width W_(PB) may be greater than the widthW_(PA).

To move the slidable rod 744 between Stages A-D, a user or system mayengage the latching feature 750 and move the slidable rod 744 within thechannel 740 in an axial direction (i.e., in the direction of the centralaxis 796 (FIG. 10)). The ridges 752 may provide tactile indications withthe latching feature 750 that the slidable rod 744 is located at apredetermined position along the axle 730. More specifically, each StageA-D may correspond to the latching feature 750 being slidably engaged toa different corresponding ridge 752. In Stage B, the key projections746A have been inserted at least partially into cavities 748 of the camfingers 732A. However, the widths W_(PB) and W_(PC) of the keyprojections 746B and 746C, respectively, are sized such that the keyprojections 746B and 746C are not located within the cavities 748 of thecam fingers 732B and 732C, respectively. Accordingly, in Stage B, thekeying device 706 is engaged with the moveable contact array (not shown)that is operatively coupled to the cam fingers 732A.

In Stage C, the key projections 746B have been inserted at leastpartially into cavities 748 of the cam fingers 732B, and the keyprojections 746A remain at least partially within the cavities 748 ofthe cam fingers 732A. However, the widths W_(PC) of the key projections746C are sized such that the key projections 746C are not located withinthe cavities 748 of the cam fingers 732C. Accordingly, in Stage C, thekeying device 706 is engaged with the contact arrays that areoperatively coupled to the cam fingers 732A and 732B.

In Stage D, the key projections 746C have been inserted at leastpartially into cavities 748 of the cam fingers 732C, and the keyprojections 746A and 746B remain at least partially within the cavities748 of the cam fingers 732A and 732B, respectively. Accordingly, inStage D, the keying device 706 is engaged with the contact arrays thatare operatively coupled to the cam fingers 732A, 732B, and 732C. At anyof the Stages B-D, the axle 730 may be rotated by a user or system tomove the contact array(s) that is/are operatively coupled to the camfingers 732. As such, the keying device 706 may facilitate selectivelymoving contact arrays of the embodiments described herein.

In alternative embodiments, the key projections 746 may be at least oneof sized and axially located to engage the cam fingers 732 in adifferent sequence as described above. For example, the key projections746C may be sized larger than the key projections 746A so that the camfingers 732C are engaged before the cam fingers 732A. Furthermore, inother embodiments, the key projections 746 may be at least one of sizedand axially located to slide entirely through a cavity 748 of a camfinger 732. As such, the key projection 746 may engage and thendisengage with a cam finger 732 in one complete axial slide of theslidable rod 744. For example, the key projection 746A may be engagedwith the cam finger 732A at Stage B, then slide entirely through thecavity 748 and be disengaged with the cam finger 732A at Stage D.

In alternative embodiments, the keying device 706 and the cam fingers732 may be configured so that the contact arrays are moved at differenttimes. For example, the cavities 748 in the cam fingers 732B may besized and shaped such that the axle 730 must be rotated (e.g., 15°)before the key projections 746B engage interior walls of the cavity 748to move the cam finger 732B. In another embodiment, the cavities 748 inthe cam fingers 732B may be located such that the axle 730 must berotated (e.g., 15°) in between Stages B and C to position the keyprojections 746B to be inserted into the cavities 748 of the cam fingers732B. In such embodiments, other contact arrays may be moved before thecontact array that is operatively coupled to the cam fingers 732B ismoved.

FIG. 14 illustrates a perspective view of a coupling mechanism 804 and akeying device 806 that may be used with various embodiments, such as theconnectors 110 (FIG. 1) and 610 (FIG. 9) described above. The couplingmechanism 804 may have similar features and components as describedabove with respect to the coupling mechanism 204 (FIG. 6). As shown, thecoupling mechanism 804 is operatively coupled to the keying device 806and may be supported by a base frame 808. The coupling mechanismincludes a rotatable axle 830 having a longitudinal central axis 896extending therethrough. The base frame 808 may include a plurality ofaxle supports 822 that support the axle 830 and the keying device 806.

The coupling mechanism 804 also includes a plurality of cam fingers 832that are slidably coupled to the axle 830 and project radially away fromthe axle 830 (or central axis 896). Also shown, the axle 830 has arotatable end 831 that is configured to be engaged by a user or systemfor rotating the axle 830 about the axis 896.

The keying device 806 is configured to selectively engage at least onemoveable contact array (not shown). More specifically, the keying device806 is configured to engage select cam fingers 832 so that when the axle830 is rotated, only the cam fingers 832 that are engaged to the keyingdevice 806 will rotate with the axle 830. As such, when the couplingmechanism 804 is actuated (i.e., when the axle 830 is rotated about thecentral axis 896 by a user or system), the contact array(s) that areselectively engaged by the keying device 806 move between retracted andengaged positions.

As shown, the keying device 806 includes an assembly of slidable rods840-842 and key projections 850-852. The slidable rods 840-842 extendlengthwise alongside the axle 830 and the base frame 808. As shown, theslidable rod 840 is attached to the key projections 850, the slidablerod 841 is attached to the key projections 851, and the slidable rod 842is attached to the key projections 852. Optionally, the slidable rods840-842 are also supported by the axle supports 822. A user or systemmay selectively move the slidable rod(s) 840-842 to move the attachedkey projections 850-852.

The slidable rods 840-842 and the key projections 850-852 are configuredto selectively engage the cam fingers 832A-832C to move the cam fingers832A-832C along the axle 830. The keying device 806 also includes camlocks 862A-862C that are configured to engage the cam fingers 832A-832Cwhen the cam fingers 832A-832C are moved by the keying device 806. Thecam locks 862A-862C may facilitate rotating the cam fingers 832A-832C tomove the corresponding contact arrays.

FIG. 15 illustrates a portion of the keying device 806 and, morespecifically, an interaction between the slidable rod 840, the keyprojection 850, and the cam lock 862A for moving the cam finger 832A.Although the following description is with particular reference to thecam finger 832A, a similar interaction may occur to selectively engagethe cam fingers 832B and 832C (FIG. 14). As shown in FIG. 15, the camfinger 832A may be moved into various positions 870-872. In theunengaged position 870, the cam finger 832A is spaced apart from the camlock 862A and engaged with the key projection 850. Optionally, thekeying device 806 may include a resilient spring 868 that provides aseparation force to separate the cam finger 832A and the cam lock 862A.

The cam lock 862A may be affixed to the axle 830. To move the cam finger832A to the engaged position 871, a user or system may provide an axialforce F_(A1) to move the slidable rod 840 along the central axis 896(FIG. 14) toward the cam lock 862A. The key projection 850 may slidealong the axle 830 and engage the cam finger 832A. The key projection850 may then move the cam finger 832A toward the cam lock 862A therebycompressing the resilient spring 868 between the cam finger 832A and thecam lock 862A.

As shown, the cam finger 832A and the cam lock 862A may havecomplementary ridges and teeth 874 and 876, respectively, that engageeach other to interlock the cam finger 832A and the cam lock 862A. Withthe cam finger 832A and the cam lock 862A engaged with each other, theuser or system may provide a rotational force F_(R2) to rotate the axle830 about the central axis 896. The teeth 874 and 876 facilitaterotating the cam finger 832A about the central axis 896 thereby movingthe contact array (not shown) that is operatively coupled to the camfinger 832A. When the user or system releases the slidable rod 840, thepotential energy of the spring 868 may separate the cam finger 832A andthe cam lock 862A. The axle 830 may remain in a rotational position ororientation when the slidable rod 840 is released.

In alternative embodiments, the keying device 806 does not include thespring 868. For example, in such embodiments, the key projection 850 maybe attached to the cam finger 832A. The user or system may provide anaxial force in an opposite direction of the axial force F_(A1) toseparate the cam finger 832A and the cam lock 862A.

Although the illustrated embodiments are described with reference toelectrically interconnecting printed circuits and, more specifically,circuit boards, the description herein is not intended to be limited toprinted circuits or circuit boards. Embodiments described herein mayalso be used to interconnect other electrical components where anelectrical component has an array of mating contacts that complement orare configured to engage the mating contacts of a moveable contactarray, such as other flexible circuits.

Furthermore, although the illustrated embodiments are described withreference to electrical connections, embodiments described herein may besimilarly configured to establish optical connections.

It is to be understood that the above description is intended to beillustrative, and not restrictive. As such, other connectors andcoupling mechanisms may be made as described herein that couple amoveable mating array to another array of terminals. For example, theconnectors and coupling mechanisms may be like the electrical connectorsand coupling mechanisms described in U.S. patent application Ser. Nos.12/428,806 and 12/428,851 and also a U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/686,518, all of which are incorporated by reference in the entirety.

In addition, the above-described embodiments (and/or aspects or featuresthereof) may be used in combination with each other. Furthermore, manymodifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material tothe teachings of the invention without departing from its scope.Dimensions, types of materials, orientations of the various components,and the number and positions of the various components described hereinare intended to define parameters of certain embodiments, and are by nomeans limiting and are merely exemplary embodiments. Many otherembodiments and modifications within the spirit and scope of the claimswill be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the abovedescription. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determinedwith reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope ofequivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims,the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-Englishequivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.”Moreover, in the following claims, the terms “first,” “second,” and“third,” etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to imposenumerical requirements on their objects. Further, the limitations of thefollowing claims are not written in means—plus-function format and arenot intended to be interpreted based on 35 U.S.C. §112, sixth paragraph,unless and until such claim limitations expressly use the phrase “meansfor” followed by a statement of function void of further structure.

1. A connector configured to communicatively couple differentcomponents, the connector comprising: a base frame extending along alongitudinal axis between a pair of frame ends; moveable first andsecond mating arrays comprising respective mating surfaces havingterminals arranged thereon; and a coupling mechanism supported by thebase frame, the coupling mechanism holding the first and second matingarrays and moving the first and second mating arrays between retractedand engaged positions, the first and second mating arrays being spacedapart from a select component when in the corresponding retractedposition, the first and second mating arrays being communicativelycoupled to the select component when in the corresponding engagedposition, wherein the first and second mating arrays are moved withrespect to the base frame at different times by the coupling mechanism,the coupling mechanism configured to drive the first and second matingarrays either at least partially away from each other to thecorresponding engaged positions or in a same direction to thecorresponding engaged positions.
 2. The connector in accordance withclaim 1 wherein the coupling mechanism drives the first and secondmating arrays according to a predetermined sequence.
 3. The connector inaccordance with claim 1 further comprising a keying device that isoperatively connected to the coupling mechanism, the keying deviceselectively engaging at least one of the first and second mating arraysto move between the corresponding retracted and engaged positions. 4.The connector in accordance with claim 1 wherein the coupling mechanismmoves the first and second mating arrays in different mating directionsbetween the corresponding retracted and engaged positions.
 5. Theconnector in accordance with claim 1 wherein the coupling mechanismmoves at least one of the first and second mating arrays in a linearmanner between the corresponding retracted and engaged positions.
 6. Theconnector in accordance with claim 1 wherein the coupling mechanismincludes an axle extending along a central axis and supported by thebase frame and also includes a plurality of cam fingers that are coupledto and extend radially away from the central axis, the cam fingers beingconfigured to move the first and second mating arrays at differenttimes, the first and second mating arrays moving away from the axle whenthe axle is rotated about the central axis.
 7. The connector inaccordance with claim 1 wherein the coupling mechanism moves the firstand second mating arrays at different speeds between the correspondingretracted and engaged positions.
 8. The connector in accordance withclaim 1 wherein the first and second mating arrays move differentdistances between the corresponding retracted and engaged positions. 9.The connector in accordance with claim 1 wherein at least one of thefirst and second mating arrays includes an alignment feature configuredto align the terminals of the corresponding mating array with terminalsof the select component.
 10. The connector in accordance with claim 1wherein the mating surfaces of the first and second mating arrays areoriented perpendicular to each other.
 11. The connector in accordancewith claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second mating arraysis floatable with respect to the base frame.
 12. The connector inaccordance with claim 1, wherein the coupling mechanism includes anelongated operator-controlled actuator having an axis that extendsthrough the actuator and along a longest dimension of the actuator, theactuator configured to drive the first and second mating arrays awayfrom the axis to the engaged positions.
 13. The connector in accordancewith claim 1, wherein the coupling mechanism includes anoperator-controlled actuator that is movable between first and secondoperative positions, the actuator driving the first and second matingarrays different times when the actuator is moved from the firstoperative position to the second operative position.
 14. The connectorin accordance with claim 13, wherein the actuator is rotatable and thefirst and second operative positions are different rotational positions.15. The connector in accordance with claim 1, further comprising firstand second flex connections communicatively coupled to the first andsecond mating arrays, respectively, each of the first and second flexconnections comprising at least one of a flexible circuit or an opticalcable, wherein the first and second flex connections extend lengthwisebetween respective first and second ends and wherein, for each of thefirst and second flex connections, a distance between the first end andthe associated second end increases as the respective mating array ismoved toward the corresponding engaged position.
 16. The connector inaccordance with claim 1, wherein the first mating array is maintained inthe engaged position of the first mating array while the second matingarray is moving toward the engaged position of the second mating array.17. The connector in accordance with claim 1, wherein the first andsecond mating arrays move for non-overlapping time periods.
 18. Aconnector configured to communicatively couple different components, theconnector comprising: a base frame extending along a longitudinal axisbetween a pair of frame ends; moveable first and second mating arrayscomprising respective mating surfaces having terminals arranged thereon;a coupling mechanism supported by the base frame, the coupling mechanismholding the first and second mating arrays and moving the first andsecond mating arrays between retracted and engaged positions, the firstand second mating arrays being spaced apart from a select component whenin the corresponding retracted position, the first and second matingarrays being communicatively coupled to the select component when in thecorresponding engaged position, wherein the first and second matingarrays move with respect to the base frame at different times duringactivation of the coupling mechanism; and a third mating array thatfaces in a different direction relative to the first and second matingarrays, each of the first and second mating arrays being communicativelycoupled to the third mating array.
 19. The connector in accordance withclaim 1, further comprising a third mating array configured to be movedby the coupling mechanism between corresponding retracted and engagedpositions, the third mating array moving at a different time relative toat least one of the first mating array or the second mating array. 20.The connector in accordance with claim 1, wherein the first and secondmating arrays move in the same direction when the first and secondmating arrays are moved to the corresponding engaged positions.